Nigerian Muslim cleric detained over al Qaeda case (Reuters)

[Eugene]

Nigerian Muslim cleric detained over al Qaeda case
08 Feb 2007 11:59:41 GMT
Source: Reuters

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, Feb 8 (Reuters) - A Muslim cleric has been detained in northeastern
Nigeria in connection with a man accused of taking $300,000 from al Qaeda to assist a
group called the Nigerian Taliban, officials said on Thursday.

The cleric, Mohammed Yusuf, is a well-known preacher in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state
in the country's Muslim-dominated north. Police fanned out in the area around the mosque
where he usually preaches as news of his detention filtered out.

"Yusuf is with us and we are taking him to Abuja for a chat. He's already cooperating,"
said Ruben Amawo, director of the State Security Services, the secret police, in Borno
state.

He said Yusuf was a close associate of Muhammed Damagun, a media company director
whom prosecutors last month accused of taking money from al Qaeda in 2002 to arrange
combat training in Mauritania for 17 members of the Nigerian Taliban.

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Full article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L08242180.htm